Footwear



June 2, 1970 N. H. MIDGLEY 3,514,878

FOOTWEAR Filed Jan. 22, 1969 United States Patent 3,514,878 FOOTWEAR Noel H. Midgley, 361 Dandenong Road, Armadale, Victoria, Australia Filed Jan. 22, 1969, Ser. No. 792,959

Int. Cl. A43b U.S. Cl. 362.5 103 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a shank blank for reinforcing the rear section of a footwear sole component. The shank blank is of generally channel shape with a strip-like web portion and a pair of opposed reinforcing flanges. The shank blank is connectable to the rear section by driving the free edges of the reinforcing flanges into the material of the rear section. The embedded shank blank is such that it may be deformed along its length together with the rear section to a desired contour to hold the rear section in that desired contour. The invention also covers a footwear sole component reinforced with such a shank blank, an article of footwear including such a reinforced sole component and a method of manufacturing such a reinforced sole component.

The present invention relates to the production of shoes and other footwear having a reinforcing shank extending lengthwise of the rear section of the shoe bottom.

A shoe is generally constructed with a shoe bottom and an upper. The shoe bottom is usualy of laminated construction and may include an outersole and heel, and innersole, and a sock lining which covers the inner surface of the innersole. The shoe bottom may include other components or, alternatively, be made in one piece.

A shoe bottom may for convenience of description be divided into four zones which, extending from the front to rear may be called, the toe, forepart, waist and heel sections. These sections successively merge together and may be considered as roughly corresponding to the toe, ball, arch and heel zones of the foot. The toe and forepart may together be called the front section and the waist and heel sections may together he called the rear section. Generally, at least in an innersole, the waist and heel sections constituting the rear section are relatively rigid and strong, whereas the forepart is far more flexible and resilient and the toe section is more rigid than the forepart but less rigid than the rear section.

This invention is particularly concerned with the waist and heel sections or rear section. These sections are required to be relatively rigid and strong to retain the shoe shape although the properties required depend on the manufacturing processes used and the intended use of the finished product. For example, the material may need to receive nails and tacks without splintering or may need to be compatible with various adhesives.

Rear sections have for many years been made from fibreboards or laminations of materials. The material is chosen for its ability to be molded to the shape of the arch and heel area of the shoe last concerned and for strength and economy. Paper and wood fibreboard has become the major material used for the production of rear sections.

Generally rear sections are of a thickness of about 2.0 to 3.5 mm. and fibreboard of this thickness is not usually strong enough in use to retain the shape to which it is moulded. The contour to which the rear section is moulded depends on the shoe concerned. In high heel shoes for ladies the contour involves sharp curvature. A reinforcing shank is generally included to retain the desired contour. i

The reinforcing shank is generally made of metal and extends lengthwise and substantially centrally of the rear section. The rear end of the reinforcing shank may terminate about one inch from the rear extremity of the heel. Reinforcing shanks are available in widths varying from about A to 1" and they generally have a longitudinally extending strengthening rib pressed outwardly from the surface of the shank. Reinforcing shanks are attached to rear sections by tacking, riveting or stapling and anchoring holes or slots are generally provided in the shanks for this purpose.

Usually reinforcing shanks are hardened and tempered after provision of the strengthening rib and after being preformed to the desired curved contour. The reinforcing shank is then fitted to a rear section of corresponding contour. Alternatively the contoured shank is connected to a relatively fiat rear section and subsequently moulded to final form in a press.

The reinforcing shank generally extends along the underside of the rear section and may be fastened with two rivets, each adjacent a separate end of the shank. To reduce bulk a groove or slot may be machined lengthwise and substantially centrally in the underside of the rear section to receive the shank. However, this weakens the rear section.

The main disadvantage in the known arrangement described is that a large stock of different reinforcing shanks must be maintained for the manufacture of different shoes. In addition, special skills and machines are required to locate the reinforcing shanks and separate operations are required to shape the shank and the rear section to the desired contour. Moreover, hardened and tempered reinforcing shanks are relatively expensive.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide improvements in reinforcing shanks and in the reinforcing of rear sections of footwear components and articles of footwear.

Accordingly the present invention provides a reinforcing shank blank for the rear section of a footwear sole component having upper and lower component surfaces, said shank blank including: an elongatedstrip-like Web portion of a length and width adapted to extend generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said rear section, and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges; both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion with each said reinforcing flange extending along a sep arate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges, each said reinforcing flange being embeddable in the material of said rear section and the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion being drivable into said rear section material; said shank blank being connectable directly to said sole component by driving said free edges into said rear section material through the intermediate zone of one of said component surfaces so that said reinforcing flanges are embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material and said inner web faces in face-to-face relationship with the intermedate zone of said one component surface; said shank blank being such that it is capable of lengthwise contour deformation in a direction at substantially right angles to said web portion to a desired contour after connection to said rear section to em able said embedded and contoured shank to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the sole component in an article of footwear.

According to another aspect of the invention the shank blank is anchored in a footwear sole component including a rear section with the shank blank connected directly to the rear section. The rear section is of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and has upper and lower component surfaces. The shank blank is connected directly to the rear section with the inner web face in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of either the upper or lower component surface and both of the reinforcing flanges projecting from the inner web face at substantially right angles to the web portion through the intermediate zone and being embedded in the rear section material with the free edges enclosed in the rear section material. The shank blank is formed such that it is capable of lengthwise contour deformation together with the rear section to a desired contour to enable the embedded and contoured shank to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof as aforesaid.

According to a further aspect of the invention the footwear sole component is in the form of a contoured component wherein the reinforcing shank blank and the rear section are contoured along their lengths to a desired contour, the embedded and contoured shank being such as to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation as previously mentioned.

The sole component is preferably an innersole component including a front section anda rear section with the shank blank connected directly to the rear section so that the inner web face is in face-to-face relationship with the lower component surface.

According to an additional aspect of the invention the reinforced and contoured footwear sole component is incorporated in an article of footwear having a shoe bottom and an upper connected to the shoe bottom. The shoe bottom includes the reinforced and contoured component with the embedded and contoured rein-forcing shank thereof being such as to hold the rear section of the component in the desired contour.

According to a final aspect the invention also provides a method of manufacturing a reinforced and contoured footwear sole com-ponent including the steps of: forming a footwear sole component with a rear section, said rear section being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having upper and lower component surfaces; forming a reinforcing shank blank having an elongated strip-like web portion of a length and width adapted to extend generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said rear section, and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web porton being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges; both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion with each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges, forming each said reinforcing flange so that it is embeddable in the material of said rear section and form-ing the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion so that is drivable into said rear section material; connecting said shank blank directly to said rear section by driving said free edges into said rear section material through the intermediate zone of one of said component surfaces so that said reinforcing flanges are embedded in said rear section material .with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material and said inner web face is in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of said one component surface; and lengthwise contour deforming said shank blank together with said rear section in a direction at substantially right angles to said web portion to a desired contour; said shank blank being such as to enable said embedded and contoured shank to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the sole component in an article of footwear.

It is preferred that the method be carried out to manufacture a footwear innersole component wherein the innersole component is formed with a front section and a rear section, the rear section having upper and lower component surfaces. The shank blank is connected directly to said rear section 'with the inner 'web face in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of the lower component surface.

In order to further describe the invention reference is now made to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of aspects of the invention are shown and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan of a reinforcing shank blank,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section on the line II-II of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an underneath plan of a reinforced but uncontoured innersole component including a front section and a rear section, the front section being shown in phantom line,

FIG. 4 is a cross-section on the line IV-IV of FIG. 3 with the front section excluded,

FIG. 5 is a part cross-section on an enlarged scale on the line VV of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of an article of footwear including an innersole componnet,

FIG. 7 is a cross-section on the line VIIVII of FIG. 6, and

FIG. 8, is a schematic representation of a mould shown lengthwise contour deforming a shank blank together with a rear section to a desired contour.

The description that follows refers to essential and optional features of the invention. This description is facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that the reference to the drawings is by way of illustration only and it is not intended that the features described be limited by the features shown.

As has already been indicated the present invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to footwear and several different aspects are involved. In order to assist an understanding of these aspects it is proposed firstly to make reference in general terms to various parts of an article of footwear. The terms concerned are used throughout the specification.

FIG. 6 illustrates an article of footwear 11, namely a shoe that includes a shoe bottom 12 and an upper 13 connected to the shoe bottom. The shoe bottom 12 illustrated is of laminated construction and includes an outersole 14 and heel 16, an innersole 17 in face-to-face relationship with the outersole 14 and a sock lining 18 covering the upper surface 19 of the innersole 17. The shoe bottom 12 may include further components such as a mid sole (not shown) intermediate between the innersole 17 and the outersole 14.

The shoe bottom 12 may for convenience of description be considered as being divided into four zones which, extending from the front to the rear may be called, the toe, forepart, waist and heel sections. These sections successfully merge together and may be considered as roughly corresponding to the toe, ball, arch and heel zones of the foot. The toe and forepart may together be called the front section and the waist and heel sections may together be called the rear section.

This division of the shoe bottom conforms with accepted shoe making practice in that an innersole, for example, is often made in two parts being a front section and a rear section that are joined together intermediate in the length of the innersole. FIG. 3 shows an example of such an innersole with a front section 21 and a rear .section 22.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of a shank blank according to the invention. The shank blank is for reinforcing the rear section 22 of a footwear sole component, such as the innersole component 17 of the drawings, and having upper and lower component surfaces 19 and 23 respectively. The shank blank 20 includes an elongated strip-like web portion 24 of a length and width adapted to extend generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the Width of the rear section 22 and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges 26, 27 extending lengthwise of the web portion 24.

The Web portion 24 is of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and has opposed inner and outer web faces 28 and 29 respectively and longitudinally extending opposite side edges 31, 32. As mentioned the web portion 24 is of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and is preferably substantially flat along its length. Moulding of the shank blank to the desired contour along its length is carried out later.

Both of the reinforcing flanges 26, 27 project from the inner web face 28 at substantially right angles to the web portion 24 with each reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of the side edges 31, 32. It will be seen that the web portion 24 therefore extends between the reinforcing flanges 26, 27.

Each of the reinforcing flanges 26, 27 is embeddable in the material of the rear section 22 and for this purpose the longitudinal free edge 33 of each reinforcing flange remote from the web portion 24 is drivable into the rear section material.

The shank blank 20 is connectable directly to the sole component by driving the free edges 33 into the rear section material through the intermediate zone of either the upper component surface 19 or the lower component surface 23 so that the reinforcing flanges 26, 27 are embedded in the rear section material with the free edges 33 enclosed in the rear section material and the inner web face 28 in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of the component surface concerned. In the embodiment shown it is the lower component surface 23.

The shank blank 20 is made of material and shaped such that it is capable of lengthwise contour deformation in a direction at substantially right angles to the Web portion 24 to a desired contour after connection of the shank blank 20 to the rear section 22; and also such that the embedded and contoured shank is able to hold the rear section 22 in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the sole component in an article of footwear 11.

The web portion 24 is preferably curved across its width so that the outer web face 29 is of convex curvature and the inner web face 28 is of concave curvature. The web portion 24 may be provided with one or more ribs (not shown) along its length. Additionally, the web portion 24 is preferably of a width so that it is adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of the rear section 22. For example, the web portion may be about 0.725 inch in width.

The opposite side edges 31, 32 of the web portion are preferably substantially parallel and the web portion 24 is preferably continuous throughout its length and width. The front of the web portion may be provided with a tongue and the rear with a recess 30. The recess may accommodate a screw anchoring the heel to the sole component. The tongue reduces distortion of the rear section material when the shank is driven into the material.

The free edges 33 of the reinforcing flanges 26, 27 are preferably of sharpened formation to facilitate driving them into the rear section material. Each reinforcing flange has an inner flange face 36 and an outer flange face 37 and the inner flange faces 36 of the shank blank are preferably substantially parallel. The sharpened formation may be provided by forming each outer flange face 37 so that it has a bevelled surface 38 extending along its associated reinforcing flange 26 or 27 and tapering to its associated free edge 33.

The invention also provides a reinforced but uncontoured footwear sole component including a rear section 22 and a reinforcing shank blank 20, (as previously described) connected directly to the rear section 22. The sole component is preferably an innersole component including a front section 21 and a rear section 22 with the shank blank 20 connected directly to the rear section 22. The rear section is of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and has upper and lower component surfaces 19, 23 as previously described.

In this arrangement both the reinforcing flanges 26, 27 project from the inner web face 2 8 at substantially right angles to the web portion 24 through the intermediate zone of eitherof the upper or lower component surfaces and are embedded in the rear section material with the free edges 33 enclosed in the rear section material, The reinforcing flanges preferably extend about half way through the rear section material. This is best seen in the illustration of FIG. 5.

It will be appreciated that the blank is held in its operative position by frictional engagement of the reinforcing flanges with the rear section material. However the uncontoured sole component may also include supplementary anchoring means additional to the reinforcing flanges 26, 27 anchoring the shank blank 20 to the rear section 22. The supplementary anchoring means may comprise rivets, stitches, adhesive or staples 41 as illustrated particularly in FIGS. 3 to 5.

The invention also covers a reinforced and contoured footwear sole component, such as an innersole component, and including a rear section 22 and a reinforcing shank connected directly to the rear section as previously described. In this arrangement both the rear section 22 and the reinforcing shank 20 are contoured along their lengths to a desired contour and the embedded and contoured shank is such as to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use. When so contoured, the inner flange faces 36 preferably extend from the inner web face 28 at substantially right angles to the web portion as aforesaid but so as to converge towards each other away from the inner web face 28. Such a converging arrangement facilitates, selflocking of the reinforcing flanges 26, 27 in the rear section material.

According to the invention the reinforced and contoured sole component may be incorporated in an article of footwear 11 including a shoe bottom 12 and an upper 13 connected to the shoe bottom. The web portion 24 is preferably sandwiched between the innersole 17 and the outersole 14 or another sole component.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a reinforced and contoured footwear sole component.

The method includes the steps of:

Forming a footwear sole component with a rear section 22, the rear section being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having upper and lower component surfaces 19, 23.

Forming a reinforcing shank blank 20 having an elongated strip-like web portion 24 of a length and width adapted to extend generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate of the width of the rear section 22, and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges 26, 27 extending lengthwise of the web portion 24. The web portion 24 is of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and has opposed inner and outer Web faces 28, 29 and longitudinally extending opposite side edges 31, 32. The reinforcing flanges 26, 27 are formed so as to project from the inner web face 28 at substantially right angles to the web portion 24 with each reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of the side edges 31, 32 so that the web portion 24 therefore extends between the reinforcing flanges. Each reinforcing flange 26, 27 is formed so that it is embeddable in the material of the rear section 22 and the longitudinal free edge 33 of each reinforcing flange remote from the web portion is formed so that it is drivable into the rear section material.

Connecting the shank blank 20 directly to the rear section 22 by driving the free edges 33 into the rear section material through the intermediate zone of one of the component surfaces 19, 23 so that the reinforcing flanges 26, 27 are embedded in the rear section material with the free edges 33 enclosed in the rear section material and the inner web face 28 is in face-toface relationship with the intermediate zone of said one component surface.

And lengthwise contour deforming the shank blank 20 together with the rear section 22 in a direction at substantially right angles to the web portion to a desired contour.

The contouring step is preferably carried out in a mould. As shown schematically in FIG. 8 the mould may have two mould parts 51 and 52. The uncontoured component is located between the mould parts and pressed to the desired contour. The steps of connecting the blank to the sole component and contouring may be carried out simultaneously.

In refinements of the method shank blank is formed with some or all of the optional features previously described and additionally it is preferred that the sole component is an innersole component with a front section and a rear section as previously described.

When the rear section is moulded to the desired contour along its length it is usual to also mould the rear section to a contour across its width. During the cross contouring it is preferred that the reinforcing flanges are urged towards each other so that they converge away from the inner face of the web portion. Alternatively this converging arrangement may be achieved as the reinforcing flanges are driven into the rear section material. The converging arrangement, however achieved. facilitates self-locking of the reinforcing flanges in the rear section material.

The shank blank is preferably made of mild steel and may be formed to shape by cold rolling and subsequent machining. The thickness of the material and relative dimensions of the web portion and reinforcing flanges may vary according to the particular use. For example the web portion may be 0.725 inch wide, the reinforcing flanges 0.085 inch deep and the material 0.056 inch thick. The blank may be made of other metals or suitable plastics material. Similarly the sole component may be made of plastics material.

The manufacture of articles of footwear and components according to the invention has several substantial advantages.

Firstly the shape of the reinforcing shank enables the production of a strong product. The channel type shape is strong in itself and when the reinforcing flanges are embedded in the rear section material the shank and rear section support each other. The rear section material minimizes the possibility of the reinforcing flanges collapsing sidewardly thus holding the shank in the strong channel shape.

Secondly the cross-sectional dimensions of the shank need not be large thus requiring only a relatively small amount of material. Moreover no special hardening or tempering processes are required and inexpensive material may be used.

Thirdly there is no need to stock a large variety of pro-contoured reinforcing shanks because contouring is carried out after the uncontoured shank is connected to the rear section or during such connection. Thus shank blanks may be produced in uncontoured form as needed or stored in uncontoured form.

Fourthly the connection of an uncontoured shank blank 8 to an uncontoured rear section enables the use of faster production techniques and the use of less skilled labour.

It is preferred that the web portion be curved across its width as described because this strengthens the shank and enables the web portion to conform to the surface of the rear section with minimum interruption. A web portion of narrow width allows economy of material, light weight and better appearance.

, Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A reinforcing shank blank for the rear section of a footwear sole component having upper and lower component surfaces, said shank blank including: an elongated strip-like web portion of a length and with adapted to extend generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said rear section, and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion being of substantially un contoured formation along its length and having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges; both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion with each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges, each said reinforcing flange being embeddable in the material of said rear section and the longitudinal free edge of earh said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion being drivable into said rear section material; said shank blank being connectable directly to said sole component by driving said free edges into said rear section material through the intermediate zone of one of said component surfaces so that said reinforcing flanges are embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material and said inner web face is in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of said one component surface; said shank blank being such that it is capable of lengthwise contour deformation in a direction at substantially right angles to said web portion to a desired contour after connection to said rear section to enable said embedded and contoured shank to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the sole component in an article of footwear.

2. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 1, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

3. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 2, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

4. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 3, wherein said free edges are of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

5. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side edges are substantially parallel and each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces being substantially parallel; said free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

6. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 5, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer Web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

'7. A reinforcing shank blank is claimed in claim 6, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

3. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 7, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

9. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel and said web portion being curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

10. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 9, wherein each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces being substantially parallel, the sharpened formation of said free edges being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

11. A reinforcing shank blank as claimed in claim 10, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

12. A reinforced footwear sole component including a rear section and a reinforcing shank blank connected directly to said rear section; said rear section being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having upper and lower component surfaces; said reinforcing shank blank having an elongated striplike web portion and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges, said web portion also being of a length and width extending generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said rear section and said inner web face being in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of one of said component surfaces; each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges and the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion being drivable into the material of said rear section, both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion through the intermediate zone of said one component surface and being embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material; said shank blank being formed such that it is capable of lengthwise contour deformation together with said rear section to a desired contour to enable said embedded and contoured shank to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the sole component in an article of footwear.

13. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 12, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

14. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 13, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

15. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 14, wherein said free edges are of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

16. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 12, wherein said side edges are substantially parallel and each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces being substantially parallel; said free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge."

17. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 16, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

18. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 17, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

19. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 18, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

20. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 12, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel and said web portion being curved across its Width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

21. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 20, wherein each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces being substantially parallel, the sharpened formation of said free edges being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

22. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 21, and also including supplementary anchoring means additional to said reinforcing flanges anchoring said shank blank to said rear section.

23. A reinforced footwear sole component as claimed in claim 23, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

24. A reinforced footwear innersole component including a front section, a rear section and a reinforcing shank blank connected directly to said rear section; said rear section being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having upper and lower component surfaces; said reinforcing shank blank having an elongated strip-like web portion and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges, said web portion also being of a length and width extending generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said lower component surface and said inner web face being in face-to-face relationship with said intermediate zone of said lower component surface; each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges and the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion being drivable into the material of said rear section, both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion through said intermediate zone of said lower component surface and being embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material; said shank blank being formed such that it is capable of lengthwise contour deformation together with said rear section to a desired contour to enable said embedded and contoured shank to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the innersole component in an article of footwear.

25. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 24, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

26. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 25, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

27. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 26, wherein said free edges are of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

28. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 25, wherein said side edges are substantially parallel and each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces being substantially parallel; said free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

29. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 28, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave cuvature.

30. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 29, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

31. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 30, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

32. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 24, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel and said web portion being curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

33. A reinforced foot-wear innersole component as claimed in claim 32, wherein each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces being substantially parallel, the sharpened formation of said free edges being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

34. A reinforced foot-wear innersole component as claimed in claim 33, and also including supplementary anchoring means additional to said reinforcing flanges anchoring said shank blank to said rear section.

35. A reinforced footwear innersole component as claimed in claim 34, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

36. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component including a rear section and a reinforcing shank connected directly to said rear section; said rear section having upper and lower component surfaces; said reinforcing shank having an elongated strip like Web portion and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges, said web portion also being of a length and width extending generally longitudinally of a Zone intermediate in the width of said rear section and said inner web face being in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of one of said component surfaces; each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said Web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges and the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion being drivable into the material of said rear section, both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion through the intermediate zone of said one component surface and being embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material; both of said rear section and said reinforcing shank being contoured along their lengths to a desired contour, said embedded and contoured shank being such as to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the sole component in an article of footwear.

37. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole oomponent as claimed in claim 36, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

38. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 37, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

39. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 38, wherein said free edges are of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

40. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 36, wherein said side edges are substantially parallel and each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces extending substantially at right angles from said inner web face but so as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face; the free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

41. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 40, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

42. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 41, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

43. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 42, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

44. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 36, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel and said web portion being curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

45. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 44, wherein each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and on outer flange face, said inner flange faces extending substantially at right angles from said inner web face but so as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face; the free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

46. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 45, and also including supplementary anchoring means additional to said reinforcing flanges anchoring said shank blank to said rear section.

47. A reinforced and contoured footwear sole component as claimed in claim 46, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

48. A reinforced and contoured footwear innersole component including a front section, a rear section and a reinforcing shank connected directly to said rear section; said rear section having upper and lower component surfaces; said reinforcing shank having an elongated strip-like web portion and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending side edges, said web portion also being of a length and width extending generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said lower component surface and said inner web face being in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of said lower component surface; each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges and the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said Web portion being drivable into the material of said rear section; both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion through the intermediate zone of said lower component surface and being embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material; both said rear section and said reinforcing shank being contoured along three lengths to a desired contour; said embedded and contoured reinforcing shank being such as to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof through use of the innersole component in an article of footwear.

49. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 48, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

50. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 49, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

51. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 50; wherein said free edges are of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

52. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 48, wherein said side edges are substantially parallel and each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces extending substantially at right angles from said inner web face but so as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face; the free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

53. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 52, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

54. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 53, wherein said 'web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

55. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 54, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

56. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 48, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel and said web portion being curved acros its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

57. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 56, wherein each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces extending substantially at right angles from said inner web face but so as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face; the free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

58. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 57, and also including supplementary anchoring means additional to said reinforcing flanges anchoring said shank blank to said rear section.

59. A reinforced and contoured innersole component as claimed in claim 58, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

60. An article of footwear including a shoe bottom and an upper connected to said shoe bottom, said shoe bottom having a sole component with a rear section and a reinforcing shank connected directly to said rear section;

said rear section having upper and lower component sur- 7 faces; said reinforcing shank having an elongated striplike web portion and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges, said web port-ion also being of a length and width extending generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said rear section and said inner web face being in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of one of said component surfaces; each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges and the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion being drivable into the material of said rear section; both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said innert web face at substantially right angles to said web portion through the intermediate zone of said one component surface and being embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material; both said rear section and said reinforcing shank being contoured along their lengths to a desired contour; said embedded and contoured reinforcing shank being such as to hold said rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the article of footwear.

'61. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 60, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

62. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 61, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

63. An article of footwear as claimed in claim '62, wherein said free edges are of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

64. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 60, wherein said side edges are substantially parallel and each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces extending substantially at right angles from said inner web face but so as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face; the free edges being of sharpended formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

65. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 64, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature inner web face is of concave curvature.

66. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 65, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

67. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 66, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

68. An article of footwear as claimed in claim '60, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel and said web portion being curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

69. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 68, wherein said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces extending substantially at right angles from said inner web face but so as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face; the free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

70. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 69, and also including supplementary anchoring means additional to said reinforcing flanges anchoring said shank blank to said rear section.

71. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 70, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

72. An article of footwear including a shoe bottom and an upper connected to said shoe bottom, said shoe bottom having an innersole component with a front section, a rear section and a reinforcing shank connected directly to said rear section; said rear section having upper and lower component surfaces; said reinforcing shank having an elongated strip-like web portion and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending side edges, said Web portion also being of a length and width extending generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said lower component surface and said inner web face being in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of said lower component surface; each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges and the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion being drivable into the material of said rear section; both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion through the intermediate zone of said lower component surface and being embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material; both said rear section and said reinforcing shank being contoured along their lengths to a desired contour; said embedded and contoured reinforcing shank being such as to hold said rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the article of footwear.

73. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 72, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

74. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 73, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

and said 75. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 74, wherein said free edges are of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

76. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 72, wherein said side edges are substantially parallel and each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces extending substantially at right angles from said inner web face but so as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face; the free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

77. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 76, wherein said web portion is curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature.

78. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 77, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

79. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 78, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

80. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 72, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel and said web portion being curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

81. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 80, wherein each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said inner flange faces extending substantially at right angles from said inner web face but so as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face; the free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge.

82. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 81, and also including supplementary anchoring means additional to said reinforcing flanges anchoring said shank blank to said rear section.

83. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 82, wherein said web portion is continuous throughout its length and width.

84. A method of manufacturing a reinforced and contoured footwear sole component including the steps of: forming a footwear sole component with a rear section, said rear section being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having upper and lower component surfaces; forming a reinforcing shank blank having an elongated strip-like web portion of a length and width adapted to extend generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the width of said rear section, and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges; both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion with each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges, forming each said reinforcing flange so that it is embeddable in the material of said rear section and forming the longitudinal free edge of each of said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion so that it is drivable into said rear section material; connecting said shank blank directly to said rear section by driving said free edges into said rear section material through the intermediate zone of one of said component surfaces so that said reinforcing flanges are embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material and said inner web face is in face-toface relationship with the intermediate zone of said one component surface; and lengthwise contour deforming said shank blank together with said rear section in a direction at substantially right angles to said web portion to a desired contour; said shank blank being such as to enable said embedded and contoured shank to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the sole component in an article of footwear.

85. A method as claimed in claim 84, wherein said web portion is so formed that it is curved across its width with said outer web face being of convex curvature and said inner web face being of concave curvature.

86. A method as claimed in claim 85, wherein said web portion is formed of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

87. A method as claimed in claim 86, wherein said free edges are of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

88. A method as claimed in claim 84, wherein said shank blank is formed so that said side edges are substantially parallel and each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, said free edges being of sharpened formation to facilitate penetration into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge; said shank blank being connected to said rear section so that said inner flange faces extend substantially at right angles from said inner web face and in such a manner as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face.

89. A method as claimed in claim 88, wherein said web portion is formed so that it is curved across its width with said outer web face being of convex curvature and said inner web face being of concave curvature.

. 90. A method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section.

91. A method as claimed in claim 90, wherein said web portion is so formed that it is continuous throughout its length and width.

92. A method as claimed in claim 84, wherein said shank blank is formed so that said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel, said web portion being curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

93. A method as claimed in claim 92, wherein said shank blank is formed so that each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material, said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face having a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge; said shank blank being connected to said rear section so that said inner flange faces extend substantially at right angles from said inner web face and in such a manner as to converge towards each other away from said inner web face.

94. A method as claimed in claim 93, wherein supplementary anchoring means additional to said reinforcing 18 flanges are used to anchor said shank blank to said rear section.

95. A method as claimed in claim 94, wherein said web portion is formed so that it is continuous throughout its length and width.

96. A method of manufacturing a reinforced and contoured footwear innersole component including the steps of forming an innersole component 'with a front section and a rear section, said rear section being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having upper and lower component surfaces; forming a reinforcing shank blank having an elongated strip-like web portion and a pair of laterally spaced reinforcing flanges extending lengthwise of said web portion; said web portion being of substantially uncontoured formation along its length and having opposed inner and outer web faces and longitudinally extending opposite side edges, said web portion also being of a length and width adapted to extend generally longitudinally of a zone intermediate in the length of said lower component surface; both said reinforcing flanges projecting from said inner web face at substantially right angles to said web portion with each said reinforcing flange extending along a separate one of said side edges so that said web portion extends between said reinforcing flanges, forming each said reinforcing flange so that it is embeddable in the material of said rear section and forming the longitudinal free edge of each said reinforcing flange remote from said web portion so that it is drivable into said rear section material; connecting said shank blank directly to said web portion by driving said free edges into said rear section material through the intermediate zone of said lower component surface so that said reinforcing flanges are embedded in said rear section material with said free edges enclosed in said rear section material and said inner web face is in face-to-face relationship with the intermediate zone of said lower component surface; and lengthwise contour deforming said shank blank together with said rear section in a direction at substantially right angles to said Web portion to a desired contour; said shank blank being such as to enable said embedded and contoured shank to hold the rear section in the desired contour and resist deformation thereof during use of the innersole component in an article of footwear.

97. A method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said web portion is formed so that it is curved across its width with said outer web face being of convex curvature and said inner web face being of concave curvature.

98. A method as claimed in claim 97, wherein said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the 'width of said rear section.

99. A method as claimed in claim98, wherein said web portion is so formed that it is continuous throughout its length and width.

100. A method as claimed in claim 96, wherein said shank blank is formed so that said web portion is of a width adapted to extend across only a minor part of the width of said rear section, the opposite side edges of said web portion being substantially parallel, said web portion being curved across its width so that said outer web face is of convex curvature and said inner web face is of concave curvature, and the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material.

101. A method as claimed in claim 100, wherein said shank blank is formed so that each said reinforcing flange has an inner flange face and an outer flange face, the free edges of said reinforcing flanges being of sharpened formation to facilitate driving into said rear section material said sharpened formation being provided by each outer flange face havng a bevelled surface extending along its associated reinforcing flange and tapering to its associated free edge; said shank blank being connected to said rear section so that said inner flange faces extend substantially a 19 20 at right angles from said inner 'web face and in such a References Cited manner as to converge towards each other away from said UNITED STATES PATENTS inner web face.

102. A method as claimed in claim 101, wherein suppleg mentary anchoring means additional to said reinforcing 5 I 8/1964 33 7 X flanges are used to anchor said shank blank to said rear secflon- PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner 103. A method as claimed 1n claim 102, wherein sald web portion is formed so that it is continuous throughout US. Cl. X.R. its length and Width. 10 12146; 3676 

